Plantings for the Piedmont

Top illustration by Nick Garnhart.

Have you seen the ribbon of green growing along a stream, edging fields and mountains with vibrant life? What you are looking at is a riparian buffer, an essential part of our ecosystem in Virginia’s Piedmont.

Riparian buffers are the vegetated areas along rivers, streams, creeks, and other waterways. These areas are the single most effective means of protecting water quality throughout the Chesapeake Bay. With healthy riparian buffers, we can ensure the water we drink throughout the watershed is clean and can be a sustainable resource for future generations.

aerial of volunteers planting trees along a stream

Numerous programs across our nine-county region provide free technical assistance, project design, materials, and labor for the planting of native trees and shrubs in riparian zones on qualifying properties.

Find My Watershed
a young woman plants a tree

Rappahannock Headwater Stream Initiative

The Headwater Stream Initiative is a joint project of The Piedmont Environmental Council and Friends of the Rappahannock …
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a green tree tube with surrounding trees tubes in a field during a planting event

Potomac Planting Program

The Potomac Planting Program includes properties in the Potomac River watershed of Clarke, Loudoun and Fauquier counties …
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a woman and child plant a tree together

James River Buffer Program

Our partners at the James River Association, Virginia Department of Forestry, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation are working with landowners across …
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Fall Tree Planting Volunteer Opportunities

Fall Tree Planting Volunteer Opportunities

We are so excited for our three volunteer tree plantings this fall! Planting native trees and shrubs along streams, rivers, and ponds – also known as riparian buffers – is a way to help clean …
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| | Aquatic & Riparian Area Restoration, Clean Water, Headwater Stream Initiative, Loudoun County, Plantings for the Piedmont, Potomac Planting Program, Potomac River, Rappahannock County, Tree plantings
Two people smile at the camera, holding a sign that says "Native Tree Plantings"

Plantings for the Piedmont: A Team Effort

It was a brisk morning in late January as I stood with a Fauquier County landowner. We leaned against a fence at the end of the site visit, discussing the coming tree planting projects at …
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| | Managing Your Land, Plantings for the Piedmont, The Piedmont View, Tree plantings
Free Native Tree Giveaways This Spring!

Free Native Tree Giveaways This Spring!

This spring, PEC is partnering with Friends of the Rappahannock to give away over 600 native trees in Leesburg and Aldie! …
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| | Plantings for the Piedmont
Plantings for the Piedmont applications open for 2025-2026

Plantings for the Piedmont applications open for 2025-2026

See if you are eligible for FREE assistance to plant and maintain trees on your property. Applications for Plantings for the Piedmont are open for 2025-2026 …
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| | Aquatic & Riparian Area Restoration, Clean Water, For Wildlife & Fish Habitat, Managing Your Land, Plantings for the Piedmont, Restoring Wildlife Habitat
Partnership for the Ages

Partnership for the Ages

The Hellmanns are glad to know that their corner of the world will remain intact — a place where generations to come can enjoy the native wildflowers alongside Bear Trail, the hardwoods they plan to …
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| | Albemarle County & the City of Charlottesville, Clean Water, Conserving Land, Land Conservation, Plantings for the Piedmont, The Piedmont View
Call for Volunteers: Upcoming Tree Plantings in Rappahannock County

Call for Volunteers: Upcoming Tree Plantings in Rappahannock County

PEC works throughout the year on private and public property to plant trees and shrubs to establish or improve riparian buffers. This fall, we are hosting two volunteer tree plantings in Rappahannock County …
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| | Clean Water, Plantings for the Piedmont, Rappahannock County, Tree plantings
This May, Orvis Giveback Days Will Raise Money for The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Tree Planting Program

This May, Orvis Giveback Days Will Raise Money for The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Tree Planting Program

During the month of September, when you shop at your local Orvis store in Arlington, Leesburg or Tysons Corner part of your purchase goes to support local land and water conservation efforts! For every purchase …
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| | Plantings for the Piedmont, Tree plantings, Ways to Get Involved
a group walks from a farm house through a grassy field

A Walk Along Cedar Run

Earlier this month, friends new and old joined us for the 20th Annual Bluebell Walk: Benefits of Beavers, Birds & Battling Invasives for Native Biodiversity along the banks of Cedar Run in Catlett, VA …
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| | Cedar Run, Clean Water, Fauquier County, Julian Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund, Plantings for the Piedmont, Tree plantings
Volunteer Spotlight: Felix Kontanis and Jennifer Dorrer

Volunteer Spotlight: Felix Kontanis and Jennifer Dorrer

Each spring and fall, PEC welcomes dozens of volunteers who get their hands dirty and their feet muddy helping us plant native trees and shrubs along streams on private properties. We caught up with two …
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| | Fauquier County, Plantings for the Piedmont, The Piedmont View
Spring 2023 Tree Planting Opportunities

Spring 2023 Tree Planting Opportunities

We are so excited for our four volunteer tree plantings this spring in Clarke, Culpeper Orange and Rappahannock counties during March and April …
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| | Aquatic & Riparian Area Restoration, Clarke County, Clean Water, Culpeper County, Headwater Stream Initiative, Loudoun County, Plantings for the Piedmont, Potomac Planting Program, Potomac River, Rappahannock River, Tree plantings

PEC’s work on riparian buffers is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, which promotes community-based efforts to develop conservation strategies to protect and restore the diverse natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay.